Florida Offshore Cetacean Observations by FAU HBOI Stranding and Population Assessment

Original provider:
Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University

Dataset credits:
Steve Burton, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University

Abstract:
Our current five-year General Authorization (LOC #23069) for scientific research (Level B Harassment) to perform monthly vessel-based photo identification surveys of cetaceans in the IRL and the Atlantic Ocean from Sebastian Inlet to Jupiter Inlet, Florida. We propose to take a maximum of 700 bottlenose dolphins in the IRL annually. Offshore we propose a
maximum of 100 takes on bottlenose dolphins, 20 takes on pygmy sperm whales, 20 takes on humpback whales, 100 takes on pilot whales, 100 takes on Risso’s dolphins, 100 takes on Atlantic spotted dolphins, 100 takes on pantropical spotted dolphins, and 100 takes on rough-toothed dolphins annually. Research will occur year-round from 2021 through 2026.